sedan

Almost exactly two years ago my partner Alberto, a regular in these matters, was testing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 that the brand launched then. This time who gets behind the wheel of his successor, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026)is yours truly, excited to experience the sensations of a sports sedan in which many things change. The update of this model affects both its exterior appearance – pay attention to the front – and its performance, which improves significantly to complete a most striking 100% electric vehicle. Shall we take a look at it? Technical sheet of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Body type Five-seater saloon. Measurements and weight. 4,925 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,495 mm high. Wheelbase of 2,950 mm. 2,410kg Trunk. 401 liters Battery 63 kWh (Standard) 84 kWh (Long Range) Maximum power. 125 kW (170 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 168 kW (229 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 239 kW (325 hp, 605 Nm, AWD) WLTP consumption. 14.6 kWh/100 km WLTP autonomy Up to 521/680 km depending on battery. Environmental distinctive. Zero emissions. Driving aids (ADAS). Adaptive cruise control with level 2 automation and emergency braking, sign recognition, blind spot sensor, lane keeping, cross traffic alert, automated parking and emergency braking during maneuvers with pedestrian and object detection. Others Compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, two 12.3-inch screens and connection for two phones. Four USB type C inputs and one type A, OTA updates, software with its own maps that indicate the available autonomy, dynamic lights for the interior. Vehicle to Load (V2L) reverse charging. Electric hybrid. No. Plug-in Hybrid. No. electric. Yes. Ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW (from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes) Price and launch. Not available. More than a restiling The family is growing, those responsible for Hyundai began by warning us before we set off. These new Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) are confirmation of the firm’s clear commitment to electrification, which in fact prepares the Ioniq 3 for next year. But that will be next year, because this Ioniq 6 begins by taking an important leap in the WLTP autonomy, which reaches 680 km in its version with long-range battery (84 kW). In the case of the model with a standard 63 kW battery, that WLTP autonomy is estimated at 521 km, both figures already serious. We were able to test the Ioniq 6 with the N-Line finish, better equipped and with an even sportier appearance. To give it those more distinctive lines, we have a more aggressive bumper and slightly different side skirts. There are also other distinctive elements such as the wheels and the lights, which have their own lighting signature. In both cases there have been clear changes in the nose, which is sharper and adopts a “shark nose” type front. The headlights are compressed to the maximum to be reduced to four fine lines of LED Parametric Pixel, while at the rear also use is made of that striking design element that, together with that spoiler and rear bumpers, allows them to be distinguished even more. In this design there are optional elements such as digital rearview mirrors – in the model we tested they were conventional – and others that come standard such as integrated handles that contribute to aerodynamics. Which is precisely one of the strong points of this model, although there are no changes here: it remains at some (fantastic) 0.21 Cx. The 401 l trunk is perhaps a bit short – the 45 l front one can alleviate the situation a little – but this sports sedan approach logically imposes certain sacrifices. Regarding the interior, the space and qualities are surprising here, but above all the physical controls stand out. Faced with the rise of “everything touch” of some firms, at Hyundai They rescue buttons, dials and other physical elements which among other things allow get a better grade in the Euro NCAP tests. And we, to be honest, are happy: no matter how attractive a touch screen is, we also think that in some cases it is a solution to a problem that did not exist. Buttons, buttons, buttons. We like buttons. The “interactive” steering wheel also has four Parametric Pixel LED elements that indicate the status of various vehicle systems, and on the dashboard we have dual 12.3-inch screens integrated into a single floating screen. Here we have, as in its predecessor, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. We tested the first one for navigation with Google Maps during the route, and we verified that the quality and response of the panel was perfect during the trip. We were only able to test the BOSE sound system, but it certainly shows promise. Somewhat hidden behind the steering wheel, on the right side, is the gear lever. I was not very used to that position and I must admit that to avoid confusion I needed to check if I had positioned the gear appropriately. The problem is that to see the position of the steering wheel spokes they can cover that line of sight. It’s a minor detail and that check will probably be irrelevant once we get used to the vehicle, but at first it’s something that caught my attention. Between both front seats, the bridge-type center console dominates everything, where we find the window controls and elements such as the wireless charging surface that allows us to comfortably recharge our mobile phone while we travel. At the top we have a generous sunroof that we can open or close with just the push of a button. The Ioniq 6 has a dual-zone automatic climate control to adjust temperatures independently. The controls (this time yes) are centralized on a lower touch panel, under the dual screen. If wireless charging doesn’t suit us and we prefer cables, we will be well served. In addition to the USB-C sockets (one of them with a charging capacity of 100 W) and USB-A, we even have a conventional … Read more